As the manager of well-known touring bands, I have routed bands to the Red Lion Downtowner for many years due to being able to park the tour bus onsite, the convenient location, and the bus operator being able to check in early since he drives all night - usually 400 to 500 miles.
Upon arrival, the desk clerk, Benjamin, was extremely rude to our bus operator - he refused to let him check in two hours early despite my calling the hotel a week ago to confirm he could check in early. There were ample rooms available, Benjamin wanted to charge him/us $25 per hour (for both rooms that were reserved). When the bus operator alerted me to the situation, I called the hotel and spoke to Benjamin briefly as he hung up on me. I called again - , he answered and I asked why he hung up on me; he did it again. A third call resulted in the same; being hung up on. The band and the bus operator decided to get something to eat in hopes that by the time they returned, they could check in; which, they did.
I then called the hotel again planning to thank Benjamin for letting them check-in but once he knew it was me, told me to "Go f#ck myself and to never book a room there again. He then hung up on me (4th time).
Benjamin's behavior toward my bus operator, band members & myself was not only rude; it was mean and uncalled for. The music community is big; we have already reached out to fellow band managers & agents to advise them to steer clear of the Red Lion Downtowner in Boise, ID.
